Matthew Legere is a Master’s Student at ASU Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Hamilton High School for AZPreps365.com

SCOTTSDALE — Hamilton improved to an undefeated 5-0 on the season after a 9-1 defeat of the Chaparral Firebirds under the bright lights of Jerry Dawson Field on Wednesday night. 

Starting pitcher Logan Saloman was near-perfection for the Huskies, facing just 20 batters through six and a third innings of work. The future Sun Devil walked none and allowed just two hits on the night, back-to-back singles in the fourth inning that plated Chaparral’s only run of the contest.  

Saloman made quick work of the Firebird offense, featuring a fastball at 87-89 mph and a sharp slider 10 mph below that. The big righty picked up five strikeouts and improved to 2-0 on the mound.

Josh Tiedemann added another two hits and three runs scored to his season tally. Prince DeBoskie broke open the game with a two-run double of his own in the third, but it was once again Gavin Turley who ignited the offense just six at-bats prior.

After drawing a walk and stealing a base in his first trip to the plate, Turley wasted no time jumping on a fastball and crushing one into the night sky for his third moon shot in as many games.

Through five games played, the senior has a team-leading three home runs to go along with a .316 batting average, .458 on-base percentage, seven RBI, and seven runs scored. 

Though the numbers speak for themselves, the five-tool prospect has recently added a sixth tool to his arsenal that no sabermetric could ever begin to quantify – the art of flying. 

Not many young baseball players can say that they have willingly jumped behind the wheel of an aircraft before, unless of course referring to Red Sox legend Ted Williams and his time spent serving as a Naval aviator during World War II and the Korean War. The Splendid Splinter was 24 at the time of his initial service and had just won the first of his two Major League Baseball Triple Crown titles.

Like Williams and his time spent serving with the United States Navy Reserve, Turley aloso had an all but conventional introduction to the world of flying.

“I actually got introduced to flying when I was out in Montana with the Diesel Brothers,” Turley said. “I got to take a ride in their helicopter and it made me realize that the consumer can actually fly and have a good time with private aviation. It's something that I’ve wanted to do since then and I made it a goal of mine to do this year.”

Turley stayed true and committed to his self-promise, having now logged between 30-35 hours of ground school and approximately 20 hours of time spent up in the air. 

While this may not have always been something that he envisioned for himself or his future, Turley says that this new-found love has provided him with unique opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible without taking that initial risk.

“I haven't taken too many crazy trips just yet,” Turley said. “Though I was able to fly down to one of my brother's [baseball] games at the University of Arizona. I got there a little late so I was able to fly around the stadium as he was playing and that was a pretty cool experience.”

Gavin’s brother, Noah, is a sophomore first baseman for the Wildcats and picked up his first home run of the season against the Milwaukee Panthers just a few short days after his not-so-little brother’s flyover of the stadium.

Turley shares an image of the Arizona sunset that he took from one of his most recent adventures up above. (Photo courtesy of Gavin Turley)

Though Turley says he has not considered a career in aviation, he understands that there are future potential benefits associated with the craft. 

“It's just something that I want to have in my back pocket,” Turley said. “If I ever have to fly my family around, or whatever the case may be, it's just something that's nice to have — something that I’ll have for the rest of my life and will be with me forever.”

Since beginning his senior season, Turley has said that he is shutting down all further plans of flying until his baseball playing days are over. The future potential first round draft pick has his eyes set on a much bigger list of accomplishments, including first finishing out the Huskies’ 2022 season with a 6A State Championship in mind. 

Hamilton (5-0) looks to remain undefeated as it next plays host to cross-town rival Chandler (2-0) at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Chaparral (2-3) travels to Opus Field on Friday for a 4:00 p.m. start time at Brophy Prep (1-3).